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World Cup of Hockey set to kick off in Toronto

The fastest show on ice is the biggest attraction at the World Cup of Hockey.

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It was pretty much a fiasco on Saturday afternoon for Team USA, beaten 3-0 at Air Canada Centre by a more resourceful, more opportunistic and more disciplined opponent, which punctured the Yanks’ game and pre-tournament bravado. Granted, all his previous goals were in the “pre”-tournament warm-up”.

Team North America is made up of the best 23-and-under American and Canadian players, a combination of speed and skill that captivates even the most old-school of hockey people. They gave up far too many odd-man rushes and weren’t able to work the puck down low with any success.

The second goal Europe scored came after Patrick Kane was trying to make a play.

The game plan seemed to backfire in Team USA’s faces, providing ammo for plenty of criticism lobbed about their roster construction and whether they had even dressed their best lineup on Saturday. Team USA, who surprised Canada with a 4-2 win in their first exhibition matchup only to go on and lose the next matchup. I just kind of lost the puck and the next thing you know, they go down 2-on-0 so that’s unacceptable for me.

It was an unacceptable performance for the USA, which now has been shut out in three consecutive major global tournament games dating to the 2014 Sochi Olympics.

Being shut out by Europe, of course, will just ignite the critics who lamented the decision not to name offensive players Phil Kessel, Tyler Johnson or Kevin Shattenkirk to the roster.

The Detroit Red Wings were smart to sign Nielsen in July – he’s going to be valued there for his consistent, two-way game. This means fans will get an extra chance to see players from their hometown teams in action in an worldwide setting. “I’d like to think we can … pass that first test, and worry about the next one”.

Diana Clement: Do you have $4k to spend on loo rolls? . Coach John Tortorella believed it should have been a goal because the puck went off Derek Stepan’s helmet, but the National Hockey League explained that it had no bearing and the goal should not count.

Team USA was looking to prove John Tortorella’s scratching of Dustin Byfuglien wasn’t a massive mistake.

More to know: After three scrimmages, Team USA is ready to officially drop the puck at the World Cup of Hockey in Toronto, and it will open play against Team Europe in the first of three preliminary games.

That belief extended to the locker room, even if beating the US looked shocking from the outside.

“We defended the house really well, too”, Christian Ehrhoff said. “We’re not thinking ahead because you’ve got to win that game before you can win the next game”.

While Team North America doesn’t have a lot of experience, they have a lot of talent and energy, and no pressure in a group steeped in historical hatred. “It could change as we go through”.

McDavid is already a great player, and North America coach Todd McLellan is spicing up his team’s opener Sunday against Finland by putting him on a line with Matthews. Krueger emphasized that the Europeans weren’t satisfied to play one strong game.

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“We just have to get more determined around the net and get those second and third opportunities”, Joe Pavelski said. Canada is nearly assured to make it out of the round, and could very likely sweep all three round robin games they play. “Through the games, through the minutes that the guys played, we felt to start the tournament this would be our lineup”. Which means we have to choose between Finland, Sweden and Russian Federation for the other Group B semifinal spot.

Team Canada's Steven Stamkos takes a shot during a training session ahead of the World Cup of Hockey in Toronto on Friday Sept. 16 2016. CHY119